C19 Cloud Aofeng Lin Family

Chu Yan's original identity was that of the crown prince of the Southern Yuan Kingdom—a place where not even a single cultivator had reached the Condensation Vein Realm. Yet, with a mere sentence, Zhao Ji claimed that a member of Chu Yan's family could be admitted into the Immortal Gate, sparking inevitable doubts in Chu Yan's mind.

"It seems you're questioning this matter, Brother Chu Yan," Zhao Ji quickly surmised, nodding in understanding. "Since we're all being candid, there's no reason for me to keep secrets. Feng Ru and I are servants of the Lin Family from the Yun Ao Realm Kingdom."

"Yun Ao Realm Kingdom!" Chu Yan was visibly shaken.

He might not have known the exact location of the Yun Ao Realm Kingdom, but the term "Realm Kingdom" alone was enough to unsettle him for a moment. Chu Yan was well aware that on the Immortal Feather Continent where he resided, the smallest sovereign entities were the states, and above them stood the mighty Realm Kingdoms. The difference between a state and a Realm Kingdom was like comparing a newborn infant to a fully grown, robust man. The Southern Yuan Kingdom, being only average among the states, couldn't possibly hold a candle to a Realm Kingdom.

Now it made sense why Zhao Ji and Feng Ru were oblivious to his name. After all, was it necessary for an emperor to know the name of a wealthy family in a distant village?

"The Realm, the Immortal Gate... now I understand," Chu Yan mused, piecing everything together.

"Does this mean you've agreed to join forces with us, Brother Chu Yan?" Zhao Ji asked with a smile.

Chu Yan nodded, "I'll be counting on Big Brother Zhao and Big Brother Feng's guidance from here on out."

"Excellent!" Zhao Ji exclaimed, pleased with Chu Yan's commitment. "From this moment forward, we're all in the same boat. As the saying goes, 'When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken.' You're surely aware of the gravity of our alliance, Brother Chu Yan. From now on, we share both honor and loss."

"Of course, you can count on me," Chu Yan assured them. "From now on, I am no longer Chu Yan, but Chu Yan, the Lin Family's son-in-law. I'll be returning with you to the Lin Family. However, I'd appreciate it if you could fill me in on the finer details along the way to avoid any slip-ups."

"Rest assured on that front," Feng Ru interjected, "Even taking a shortcut from here to the Lin Family will take us at least four months. We'll fill you in on Chu Yan's background during the journey, but don't stress too much about it. After all, this son-in-law was only met once by our old grandpa many years ago. It's an ancestral connection, so a bit of vagueness on your part should suffice to get by. However, the most pressing issue I see is the disparity in temperament between you and Chu Yan—it's quite substantial."

Feng Ru flicked the scroll in his hand as he spoke.

"That won't be a problem," Chu Yan said with a chuckle, just as Zhao Ji and Feng Ru were both furrowing their brows. "As Big Brother Feng mentioned, we have a good four months ahead of us. In that time, thanks to the immediate rapport between us, you two have kindly offered guidance and training in my cultivation. This has honed my character and transformed my temperament, which should explain the changes, right?"

"Deal!" Zhao Ji's eyes sparkled, though he quickly followed with a laugh, "Just say you want our guidance—no need for the runaround."

With their collaboration now set, the tone between Zhao Ji and Chu Yan warmed considerably.

"Then I'm in your debt, big brothers," Chu Yan said with a smile, bowing slightly. But then his brow furrowed slightly as he added, "However, I do have one question for you both. When you rescued me, did you happen to find a three-foot-long sword nearby?"

"We did not," Feng Ru replied, as he had been the one searching for clues at the scene. "Is that sword significant?"

Despite anticipating this response, Chu Yan couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment at the confirmation that the Cyan Astral Sword hadn't been found. His spirits dipped momentarily, "Well, if it's not there, then it can't be helped."

Zhao Ji clapped him on the shoulder, offering consolation, "Once you ascend the Immortal Path, you'll have access to all manner of powerful treasures. Don't dwell on it too much. Now that we've settled everything, let's hit the road before we run into more complications."

With a nod, Chu Yan followed Zhao Ji, head bowed. To the uninitiated, it might seem he was still mourning the loss of the Cyan Astral Sword, but in truth, Chu Yan's heart was filled with cold laughter.

"Pretending to be a son-in-law of the Lin Family, marrying a woman of exquisite beauty, and even stepping through the gates of an immortal sect—it all sounds so wonderful. Yet, the dangers involved are not for the faint of heart. As you recounted the story to me, you glossed over the serious issues, highlighting only the positives and conveniently omitting the risks. For instance, you never mentioned who sent the assassin that killed Chu Yan. It's clear that there are those within the Lin Family who don't want this son-in-law to have an easy time. Moreover, for a family that values its lineage above all else, it's strange to offer a chance to join the Immortal Sect to an outsider rather than a direct heir. Such generosity is unheard of in this world."

Despite knowing that Zhao Ji and Feng Ru were undoubtedly withholding much, Chu Yan still accepted their proposal. On one hand, given the circumstances, rejecting their offer could have driven them to desperate measures, including silencing him permanently. On the other hand, by leveraging their assistance, Chu Yan could gain a new identity and distance himself from the Southern Yuan Kingdom and the far-off Prefecture of Persia, ensuring his safety for the foreseeable future. Along the journey, he could also glean more information about the land of Xianyu from the pair.

Although he had only caught snippets of conversation, Chu Yan realized his knowledge of this world paled in comparison to that of his two companions, who claimed to be mere servants of the Lin Family. The world beyond the borders of his homeland was vast beyond his wildest dreams.

When Chu Yan departed from the Royal Capital of the Southern Yuan Kingdom, it was the dead of winter, the chilliest time of the year. By the time he encountered the assassins known as Spirit Absorbing and Soul Stealing, it was already late February. Now, setting out on his journey, it was the dawn of March.

According to Zhao Ji and Feng Ru's timeline, they would reach the borders of the Yunao Kingdom by the cusp of July. For the next four months, Chu Yan would travel alongside Zhao Ji and Feng Ru. Zhao Ji led the way, Chu Yan followed in the center, and Feng Ru brought up the rear.

At first glance, it appeared that Zhao Ji, the one with the highest level of mastery, was scouting ahead, while Feng Ru took up the rear guard position, ostensibly to protect Chu Yan in the center. However, Chu Yan was well aware that their actions, while partly for safety, were more about ensuring he didn't attempt to escape. Despite their precautions, both Zhao Ji and Feng Ru remained wary of him.